J. Barry McDonald, age 78, of Fall River, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, January 31, 2018, with family by his side. Born in Fall River, he was a son of the late Bernard J. McDonald, Esq. and Loretta G. (Lupien) McDonald. He was the husband of the late Gabrielle M. (Pires) McDonald, the love of his life.  A graduate of the B.M.C. Durfee High School class of 1957, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree "with distinction" in Business Administration from the Bradford Durfee College of Technology in 1964 and a Master of Education degree from Providence College in 1976.  He was a veteran of the United States Army, having served in the 3 ^rd Infantry Division in Germany.  He was employed by the Fall River Public Schools for thirty-five years before retiring in 2001.  During the course of his career he had many different roles:  physical education teacher, assistant Durfee High School football coach, and guidance counsellor (working for many years at the Henry Lord Middle School).  He was a communicant at Holy Name Parish and a lifelong member of the Fall River Elks Lodge, serving as Secretary for several years.

Happy, optimistic and patient, he was always more concerned with those around him than himself.  He was a devoted husband, exemplary father and loving grandfather.  He loved spending time with his family, especially his two grandsons, Jack (J. Barry III) and Nathan McDonald, and his brothers and sisters.  For over forty years, he enjoyed meeting his brothers, brothers-in-law and friends at the Highland Spa for morning coffee to engage in animated discussions on sports, politics and current events.  An avid walker, he was often seen walking in his North End neighborhood and beyond.

In addition to his two grandchildren, he is survived by his son, J. Barry McDonald, Jr., his beloved daughter-in-law Michelle Dean McDonald, three siblings, Bernard McDonald and his wife Joan, William McDonald and his wife Nan, and Mary Elizabeth ("Mary Lib") Hargraves and her husband Robert, all of Fall River, brother-in-law William Coombes of Somerset, many nieces and nephews, and his caretaker Ana DeSousa.  He was also the brother of the late Loretta McMurray, Barbara Shea, Patricia Barrar, Nancy Farrissey and Susan Coombes, and the brother-in-law of the late George McMurray, Arthur Shea, William Barrar, and Andrew Farrissey. His Funeral Mass was celebrated on Thursday, February 8th, in Holy Name Church followed by his committal at Notre Dame Cemetery.